Method and apparatus for drawing metal



April 14, 1942... A. slMoNs 'I l .2,279,348

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING METAL Filed April 22, 19:59' 4 sheet-sheet 1 v lNvEN'cJR` n Hamon S/Mo/vs SQL? AT'roR EY A. SIMONS METHOD AND APPARATUSl FOR DRAWING METAL April 14, 194.2.

Filed April 22, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 14, 1942. A, SIMNS .2,279,348

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING METAL I Filed April 22, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR AAA-0N SMM/vs BY f ATTORNEY l y April 14,11942. A smolqs 2,279,348

RON

NNNNNN OR i A Suv/ONS BY W Patented Apr. 14, 1942 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING l METAL l Aaron Simons, Bronx, N. Y.

Application April 22, 1939, Serial No. 269,374

22 Claims.

It constitutes a division as well as a continua;

tion in part of the structure disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 132,497, filed March 23, 1937, and involves certain improvementsover the apparatus illustrated in my prior Patent #2,092,- 188 issued September 7, 1937. y

The object of the invention is to provide a machine or apparatus of the character described, employing a pair of dies or die members in parallel relationship to each other, supported along substantially their full length by bearings, between which dies, a workpiece, such asa strip or sheet, is mechanically drawn to reduce the thickness thereof, and substantially to maintain or slightly to reduce the width thereof; and further to provide for a reciprocating sliding motion of said dies at equal speeds and in parallel planes and in opposite directions to each other,vtrans versely of the` direction of travel of the workpiece, to reduce the frictional surface resistance between said dies and the workpiece so as to permit the workpiece to be drawn between said dies; and

. further to provide means for supporting said dies in such manner as to adjust the dies with respect to each other to regulate the entrance angle fo1` the workpiece between the surfaces of said dies; and further to provide a lubricatingchamber around the workpiece and the dies to supply the desired lubrication, and means for cir-` culating lubricant through said chamber and v fully hereinafter described and claims.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

` maintaining a constant level of lubricant therein Fig. 1 is a side and sectional view of a machine made according to my invention. y

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig.,3 is a plan view of a machine as seen in Fig. 1 with part of the construction broken away. i

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing only a part of the construction and on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing dies and the supports therefor indicating the passage of a work-piece between said dies.

Fig. 6 is a section of Aa part of the construction showing in detail one form of the contour of the dies.

Fig.` 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing only a part of the construction and showing a modication, and

Fig. 8 is a section substantially on the line 8B of Fig. 7. A

The present application incorporates certain structural features disclosed in a companion application Serial No. 269,373 filed April 22, 1939.

In that companion application the die members are cylindrical, of small diameter, are supported along substantially their fulllength by friction bearings, rotate about their own axes at a surface speed slower than the speed of travel ofthe drawn product, and reciprocate at equal speeds, in opposite direction to each other, trans-` versely of the direction of travel of the workpiece. In the presentapplication, I employ a pair of non-rotatable relatively parallel die elements or dies which are longitudinally supported along substantially their entire length,- and are arranged in such manner that they can be adjusted to change the angle made by their operating surfaces with respect to each other.

The angle formed by the operating surfaces of said die elements constitutes the entrance angle for the workpiece, and this angle is commensurate in size with the entrance angle used in wire drawing dies. In fact, the cross-sectional contour of the operating surfaces of the die elements may be arranged similarly to the cross-sectional 'contour of the inner surface of the hole in a wire drawing die.

This construction, for the reasons explained in my companion application, gives the full advantages -of drawing as against cold rolling, and the strip is not hardened as much as in cold rolling, permitting larger individual reductions in thickness, vand a greater total reduction without .intermediate annealings,` slightly reduces or substantially maintains the width of the strip, without causing rough and jagged edges, produces a strip of uniform transverse thickness withoutA a crown and gives a smoother and more polished surface.

The die elements receive very little wear, and may be constructed of very hard material such as high spe'ed tool steel, tungsten carbideor other materials of this type and kind, still further to reduce their wear, and enable them to operate with strips and sheets of hard material.

In Figs. 1 to 5inclusive, I have shown for the purpose of illustrating one adaptation of my invention, an apparatus employing a base I formend of this base is an electric motor II, the shaft I2 of which has a suitable coupling I3 with a drive shaft I4.

Arranged upon the otherend of the base I0 is an upwardly extending central portion Illa upon which is supported a frame I5 having an upper supporting table I6. I'n the frame I5 is a bearing I1 for the shaft I4.

On the shaft I4 is a drive pinion I8 which meshes with two large gears I9 and 20 mounted upon drum operating shafts 2| and 22. The gears I9 and 28 are disposed in suitable housings 23 and 24 supported on the frame, the housings including bearings 25 and 26 for the shafts 2I and 22. f

Arranged upon the base I0 are other bearings A21 and 28 for the shaft 2| and 22. `litotatably mounted on the shafts beyond the latter bearings are drums 29 and 30 adapted to be clutched to said shafts through pins or other clutching means 3I and 32, so that either one of the drums may be used as a power or drawing drum for the drawing of a workpiece throughthe machine. However,

the illustration in Figs. 2'and 4 of the drawings shows the drum 3D in clutched engagement and operating as the power drum for 'drawing-the workpiece 33 from the drum 29 through the die elements employed andA winding4 the resulting drawn product 33a upon said drum 30. It will be understood that each drum will. be provided with suitable means for clamping the ends of the workpiece thereto when thebdrum is utilized as the power medium for drawing said workpiece. However, as many types of couplings of this kind can `be employed, and as they form no direct part of the present invention, they are not illustrated.

Arranged upon the shaft I4 is a gear 34 meshing with an intermediate gear 35 which also meshes with a gear 36 on the -drive shaft 31. This shaft is arranged and supported in a casing 38 secured upon the table I6 on the frame I5 in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. l.

Arranged to reciprocate back and forth in the casing 38 are upper and lower drive rods 39 and 40 which are driven through the medium of an oblique cylinder 4I secured to a shaft 42 arranged intermediate said rods, as vis more clearly illustrated and described in the companion application herein identified. The oblique cylinder has rods 43 and 44 freely coupled with the drive rods so that as the cylinder 4I rotates, the rods 39 and 40 are reciprocated back and forth in opposite directions. The shaft 42 is driven from a gear 45 which meshes with a gear 46 on the shaft Arranged on the ends of the drive rods 39 and 40 which protrude through the casing 38, are

,coupling pins 41 and 48 with which die supporting members 49 and 50 are coupled through links or rods 5| and 52, as clearly seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The pin 41 is arranged to slide ver- `ing part of the machine frame. Supported on one tically in the rod 39 to compensate for the -vertical adjustment of the die supporting member 49, which will be later described.

The members 49 and 50 are in the form of elongated bars which are split centrally and longitudinally thereof. As seen in Fig. 4 of the drawings, each is provided with a circular bore 53, 54 for receiving rods 55 and 56. The latter are also split longitudinally, the splits opening into large recesses in the outer surfaces of the rods to receive the dies proper 51 and 58. A plurality of screws or other clamping means as at 49', 50', will be provided for.securely clamping the rods 55, 56 as well as for clamping the dies 51, 58 within the rods. With this construction it will be apparent that the rods and 56 may be adjusted by rotation in the members 49,' 50 'to change the angular relationship of adjacent surfaces of the dies 51 and 58 with respect to each other to control -the entrance angle for the worklpiece.

The members 49 and 58 are mounted for sliding movement in suitable bearings 59 and 60 which areof channeled cross-sectional form. These bearings are arranged and supported in an upper vertically adjustable block 6I and a lower stationary block 62, the latter being supported upon the table I6 and being provided with a vbase plate 63 and upwardly extending webs 64 including bearing portions 65 within and between whichthe vertically movable block v6I is mounted.

At the upper end of the bearings 65 is a crosshead 66 in which is supported a horizontal shaft 61 having a hand wheel 68 for rotating the same.

O n the shaft 61 are two worms 69 which register with worm gears 10 arranged upon vertical shafts or rods 1I, as clearly seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The rods 1I have collars 13 supported within the heads 66 by thrust bearings 12. The lower portions of the rods 1I are threaded into the upper adjustable block 6 I. Raising or lowering the block 6I likewise. raises. or lowers the die 51 so as to regulate the spacing between the two dies to predetermine the thickness of the finished product.

Arranged upon opposite sides of the blocks 6I and 62 are plates 14 and 15 which form enclosures for the 'sides of the chamber in which the die elements are operating and which partially form a lubricating chamber 16 referred to later. The links 5I and 52 pass through the plate 14, whereas the plate 15 is provided with a large opening which during the operation of the machine is closed by a trap door and clamping wheel 15a, it being understood that any means' of securing the plates may be provided. The use of the trap door and clamp wheel as at 15a facilitates quick access to the chamber 16 whenever desired.

Itwill be understood that the link 5I is vertically movable on the pin 41 so as to compensate for the vertical adjustment of the upper die and its supporting member through the adjusting means described. With the present construction a direct coupling is provided between the rods and 48, and the respective dies or the supporting members thereof, and the reciprocating movement is transmitted to the dies transversely across the path of movement of the workpiece drawn through the machine. The dies are sufficiently long so that throughout their reciprocating movement they will remain in contact with the workpiece being drawn through the machine, and will also extend somewhat beyond the side edges ofthe workpiece. It will also be understood that the size and construction of the machine may be a1- tered to adapt it to workpieces of various kinds and classes, the illustration in the accompanying drawings being applied primarily to the drawing of strip material or narrow sheets.

The other wiper pads 19 are arranged in verti cally adjustable plates 80 having rack teeth 8i engaged by pinions 82 secured to shafts 83, the latter being rotatable through levers 84. This construction isV to permit the adjustment of the -pads 18, 19 with respect to the workpiece 33 and the drawn product 33a so as to clean the workpiece of any foregin material that may be disposed thereon prior to entering the chamber 16, and to remove surplus lubricant from the product 33a emerging from said chamber.

The lower portion of the movable block 6| is provided on opposed surfaces with grooves or recesses 85, placing the chamber 16 in communication with large passages 86 formed in the bearings 65. Passages 81 are provided in the adjustable plates 80 as an outlet for the overflow of the lubricant downwardly through apertures 88 in the base 63 of the block 62 and intol a tank or receptacle 89 as will appear from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. This receptacle has a strainer 90 for straining the lubricant before passing into the bottom of the receptacle. Communicating with the bottom of the receptacle is a feed pipe 9| which extends to a pump 92 driven by an electric motor 93 or in any other desired manner so as to pump the lubricant into the chamber 16 through a supply pipe 94. In this way a constant circulation of the lubricant into and out of the chamber 16 is provided, which will serve to maintain most efficient operation of the machine, and also keep the lubricant cool and thus prevent overheating of the die elements and workpiece as will be apparent.

Supported on idler shafts 95 arranged in the block 62 or the web structure 64 thereof are guide rollers 96 which maintain part of the work-- piece and part of the drawn product in a substantially straight line passing between the two dies 51 and 58, thus avoiding any change in angularity of the workpiece with respect to the same from the delivery or let-o drum 29 threading the same between the dies 51, 58, by moving the upper die into clearance position and then coupling the end of the workpiece to the receiving and drawing drum 30, after which the vertically adjustable plates 80 will be lowered into proper position. The upper die may then be moved into a partially adjusted position on the workpiece, or if desired, may be forced into full adjusted position upon the workpiece. The lubricant is then introduced into the chamber 16 until Athe same overflows through the apertures 81.

The machine is then put into operation, the workpiece being drawn between the dies 51, 58 while said dies are reciprocated back and forth at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other, transversely across the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, thereby reducing the frictional surface resistance between the dies and the workpiece, so as to permit the workpiece to be drawn between the dies, which results in the production of a product 33a materially reduced in thickness and having a uniform thickness and smooth or substantially polished surfaces and of a width substantially the same as the width of the initial workpiece, while at the same time maintaining smooth edges on the resulting workpiece.

In the illustrations throughout 4the several views. I have shown dies which are more or less rectangular in cross-section. With dies of this type the adjustment of the supporting rods on their axes will control the angle formed by the operating surfaces of the dies, so that the edges dies by reason of constant varying differences in the diameter of the let-olf and drive drums, as will be apparent.

At each end of the block 62 outwardly of the guide rollers 96 are upstanding plates 91 `which form in conjunction with the side webs 64, channels 98 in which vertically movable shutter plates 99 and |00 are mounted. The shutter 99 operates by gravity whereas the shutter 100 is normally held in an upward position by a spring IOI. On adjacent edges of the shutters 99 and |00 are suitable flexible facings or guide shoes 99a and i00a between which the workpiece 33 and the product 33a are free to pass, it being understood that the shutters compensate for the varying positions of the workpiece and product caused by the constantly increasing and decreasing amounts of strip on the let-off and drive drums These shutters serve to provide dies 51 and-58.

of the dies will be further apart where the workpiece enters, and closer together where the drawn product comes. out. However, it will be understood that my invention is not necessarily limited to any particular form of these dies,v as the cross-sectional contour thereof may be varied to adapt them to different specific uses.

In Fig. 6 are shown an alternative cross-sectional contour of the dies to approximate the working surfaces to the interior contour of a conventional wire drawing die, the die holders 55, 56 being shown in a different adjusted position. In this Fig. 6 are shown the two die receiving rods 55 and 56 which are split longitudinally as previously described. In them are clamped the The working surface of each of these dies is divided into three parts. The portion which receives the workpiece is beveled to create an entrance angle as at 51o, 58C, the portions emitting the drawn product being substantially parallel to form the so-called bearing of the dies as at 51d., 58d and the point of juncture of these surfaces is rounded oi to avoid a sharp ridge as at 51e, 58e.

It will be understood that the dios may be made of such material as may be advisable depending upon the character of the workpiece. For certain types nf workpieces, it may be advisable to make the dies of hard, heat resisting material. such as high speed tool steel or tungsten carbide.

In Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings I have shown diagrammatically a modified form of construction which constitutes the divisional subject matter taken from my prior applicatn Serial No.7132,49'7. In these figures, 51h and 58h represent the reciprocating dies which are supported and guided in the members 49h, 50h. With this construction the dies 51h. 58h are directly driven through connecting rods H0 which'are coupled with a cylindrical cam i Ii on a rotated shaft H2 similar, for example, to the shaft 42 of the construction shown in Fig. 1. The pins H3 on the upper rod lll) are-of sufficient length to compensate for the slight vertical adjustment of the die 5117, in accordance with the teachings in Figs. l to inclusive. With this construction, the dies 51h, 58h will have no rotary adjustment with respect to each other, but adjacent surfaces of the dies may be beveled as seen at H4 in Fig. 8 of the drawings so as to provide 'the' desired entrance passage for the workpiece I I5 which is being drawn, whereas the surfaces as at H6 control the reduction in thickness to be formedv in the resulting drawn product H1. It will of course be understood that in this type of construction the cross-sectional contour of the dies shown in Fig'. 6 may be used, or any other suitable die contour.

It will also be apparent that my invention is not limited to any particular means for impartsite directions to each other transversely of the path of travel of the workpiece, so as to reduce frictional surface resistance between the dies and the workpiece and permit the drawing of the, `workpiece between the dies.

It will also appear that by mounting the dies in the supporting rods and then clamping the same in the supporting bars, larger bearing surfacesare provided for taking up the thrust orstrain upon the dies in the Adrawing operation, the dies themselves functioning as the operating surfaces of complete die units which include the rods and bars as defined. It will of course be apparent that other adaptations of the basic principles of the apparatus and method herein disclosed may be made, and it is to be understood that the present drawings and specification are simply' descriptive of certain' adaptations of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat.- en is:

1. 'I'he method of reducing the thickness of an elongated sheet or strip workpiece, which consists of mechanically drawing the workpiece between longitudinal surfaces of a pair of elongated rodlike and relatively parallel non-rotatable die elements, while reciprocating said elements at curing said die elements in slidable supports housed in bearings extending substantially throughout the length thereof.

4. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, which consists of mechanically drawing the workpiece between a pair of 5. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, which consists of mechanically drawing the workpiece between a pair of relatively parallel non-rotatable die elements, while reciprocating said elements at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece. adjusting the die elements for variation of the angle between the active surfaces thereof, securing said die elements in slidable supports housed in bearings extending substantially throughout the length thereof, predetermining the thickness of the drawn product by adjustment and spacing of the die elements with respect to each other, maintaining a lubricating chamber around the workpiece, die elements, supports and bearings, and circulating a lubricantthrough said chaml ber.

6. The method Iof reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, which consists of mechanically drawing the workpiece between a pai of relatively parallel non-rotatable die elements, while reciprocating said elements at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, adjusting the die elements for variation of the angle between the active surfaces thereof, securing said die elements in slidable supports housed in bearings extending substantially throughout the length thereof, predetermining the thickness of the drawn product by adjustment and spacing equal speeds in opposite directions toeach other longitudinally of their axis and transversely of the direction of travel of the drawn workpiece.

2. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated sheet or strip workpiece, which consists of mechanically drawing the work-piece between longitudinal surfaces of a pair of elongated rod-like and relatively parallel non-rotatable die elements, while reciprocating said elements at equal speeds in opposite directions to each othed longitudinally of their axis and transversely of the direction of travel of the drawn'workpiece, and selectively adjusting the; die elements for controlling the angle between the active longitudinal surfaces thereof.

3. The method of reducing the thicknessof an elongated workpiece, which consists of mechanically drawing theworkpiece between a pair of relatively parallel non-rotatable die elements, while reciprocating said elements at equal' speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, adjusting the die elements for variation of the angle between the active surfaces thereof. and seof the die elements with respect to each other, maintaining a lubricating chamber arormd the workpiece, die elements, supports and bearings, circulating a lubricant through said chamber. and sealing the chamber where the workpiece extends into and out of the chamber to prevent loss of the lubricant.

7. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, which consists of mechanically drawing the workpiece between a pair of relatively parallel non-rotatable die elements, while reciprocating said elements at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, adjusting the die elements for variation of the angle between the active surfaces thereof, scouring said die elements in slidable support housed in bearings extending substantial throughout the length thereof, predetermining the thickness of the drawn product by adjust- -ment and spacing of the die elements with respect to each other, maintaining a lubricating chamber around the workpiece, die elements, supports and bearings, circulating a lubricant through said chamber, sealing the chamber where the workpiece extends into and out of the chamber to prevent 'losser' the lubricant, vand utilizing the seal to clean the workpiece prior to passage between the die elements and to remove excess lubricant from the drawn product discharged from said chamber.

8. 'I'he method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece and substantially main-I taining or slightly reducing its width, which consists of mechanically drawing the workpiece between a pair of Arod-like and relatively parallel non-rotatable die elements, rmly supporting the die elements in mountings extending the full length thereof, and reciprocating said mountings at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece and longitudinally of said die elements.

9. 'Ihe herein described. method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, which consists in drawing the workpiece between a pair of relatively parallel non-rotating die elements by mechanical means disposed at one side of the die elements, freely delivering the .workpiece at the other side of the die elements, and guiding the workpiece in the plane of the operating surfaces of said die elements while reciprocating the die elements at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece.

10. An apparatus for reducing the thickness ofy an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of relatively parallel non-rotating die elements, mountings extending longitudinally of said elements and in which the elements are secured, means for adjusting the spacing between said die elements in said mountings, means for reciprocating said die elements at equal speeds, 1n opposite directions to each other, transversellr of the direction of travel of the workpiece, and means for drawing the workpiece between said die elements.

11. An apparatus for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of relatively parallel non-rotating die elements. means for adjusting the spacing between said die elements, means for reciprocating said die elements at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other, transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, means for drawing the workpiece betweenA said die elements, and means 1- forming a lubricating chamber around the die elements and the workpiece, said means embodying an inlet for the workpiece and an outlet for the drawn product, the inlet and the outlet being provided with wipers to serve as seals to prevent loss of lubricant from the chamber and also to clean kthe workpiece before passing between the die elements and to remove excesslubricant from the drawn product.

12. A11 apparatus for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of relatively parallel non-rotating die elements, means for adjusting the spacing between said die elements. means for reciprocating said die elements at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other, transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, means for drawing the workpiece between said die elements, means forminga. lubricating chamber around the die elements and the workpiece, said means embodying an inlet for the workpiece and an outlet for the drawn product, the inlet and the outlet being provided with wipers to serve as seals to prevent loss of lubricant from the chamber and also to clean the workpiece before passing between the die e. elements Vand Ytoremoreexcess-,lubricant from die elements, means for reciprocating said die elements at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other, transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, means for drawing the workpiece between said die elements, means forming a lubricating chamber around the die elements and the workpiece, said means embodying an inlet for the workpiece and an outlet for the drawn product, the inlet and the outlet being provided with wipers to serve as seals to prevent loss of lubricant from the chamber andv also to clean the workpiece before passing between the die elements and to remove excess lubricant from the drawn product, means for circulating lubricant through said chamber, and means on each side of the die elements to guide the workpiece and to aline the workpiece and the drawn product in the plane of the operating surfaces of the die elements.

14. An apparatus for reducing the thickness.

of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of relatively parallel non-rotating die elements, means for adjustably supporting said die elements to permit variation of the angle between the operating surfaces of said die elements, means for adjusting the spacing between said die elements, means for reciprocating said die ele ments at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other, transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, and means for dra-.wing the workpiece between said die elements.

15. An apparatus for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of relatively parallel non-rotating die elements,

means for adjustably supporting said die elements to permit variation of the angle between the operating surfaces of said die elements,lmeans for securing each of said die elements and its supportina slidable bar member housed in a bearing along substantially its entire length, means for adjusting the spacing between said die ele ments, means for reciprocating said die elements at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other, transversely of the direction of travel of means for adjusting the spacing between said Adie elements, means for reciprocating said die elements at equal speeds, in opposite directions yto each other, transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece. means for drawing the workpiece between said die elements, and means lforming a lubricating chamber around the workpiece, the die elements, their supports and the bushings, and circulating lubricant through said chamber.

17. An apparatus for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair ofspaced non-rotatable elongated die elements,

6 Y mounting and backing members extending longitudinally of said elements and in which the elements are supported, friction bearings extending longitudinally of said members, means reciprocating said members in said bearings longitudinally of said elements, and means for drawing the workpiece between said elements in a direction trrnsverse to the reciprocating movement of said members.

18. An apparatus for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of spaced non-rotatable die elements, mountings extending longitudinally of said elements and in which the elements are supported, Vfriction bearings extending longitudinally of said mountings, means reciprocating said mountings in said bearings longitudinallyof said elements, means for drawing the workpiece between said elements in a direction transverse tothe reciprocating movement of said mountings, and said mountings including rotatable means adjusting relationship of said elements with respect to each other.

19. In an apparatus for drawing elongated workpieces -to reduce the thickness thereof, a pair of die elements between which the workpieces are drawn, supports for said elements,

bearings for said supports, means for reciprocating said supports and elements in said bearings in a direction longitudinally of said elements to reduce operating frictional resistance in the apparatus, and means forming a lubricating chamber extending throughout the length of said supports in which said supports operate.

, resistance between the workpiece and the die elements by reciprocating said elements at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece. I

l22. The methodof reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, which consists of mechanically drawing the workpiece between a pair of rod-like relatively parallel non-rotatable die elements arranged in slidQJle supports housed Ain bearings extending substantially throughout the length thereof, and decreasing the frictional surface resistance between the workpiece and the die elements by rciprocating said elements at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece.

AARON SIMONS. 

